Zimbabwe: Hundreds protest over political critic's abduction

Hundreds of Zimbabweans on Wednesday went on the streets of Harare protesting over the shadow disappearance of an opposition activist a year ago.

This is coming ahead of the US led calls for a probe into “politically motivated violence.”

Zimbabwe’s 92-year old president, Robert Mogabe, who has led the country since independence from Britain in 1980, has been accused of cracking down on opponents and smothering democracy.

Protesters including opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are demanding that Mugabe release information on how Itai Dzamara, a former journalist and harsh regime critic, was seized by unidentified men.

1 year ago #Zimbabwe rights activist Itai Dzamara was abducted. Still no news. Time for #Mugabe to come clean. pic.twitter.com/VsUcZQqWa5

— Anneke VanWoudenberg (@woudena) March 9, 2016

Dzamara was bundled into an unmarked car in March last year while coming out of a barbering shop and has not been seen since.

“Why should the regime resort to violence whenever the people want to express themselves?” Tsvangirai asked during the rally at Harare’s African Unity square.

He said they will hound the government forever and ever until they produced Itai dead or alive.

The demonstrators danced, sang and shouted political slogans.

“Stop abductions now,” read a placard at the protest while another demanded that authorities “End forced disappearances now.”

Several other countries have also called on the government over the fate of Dzamara, whose family has been holding public prayer meetings.

The US embassy said it remains deeply concerned about Dzamara’s whereabouts and wellbeing.

The Zimbabwean constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and freedom for all citizens.